DR. RICHARDSON COMMEY FIO – GHANA’S GATEWAY TO PROMOTE CULTURE – KOJO PREKO DANKWA

I was reading a research paper titled: Cultural Policy in Action: An Examination of Centres for National Culture in Ghana by John Abbam Nyarko and Beatrice Debordes. It was published on November 2,2024.

According to the research paper, the cultural sector employs tens of thousands and contributes about 1.53% to the Ghanaian Gross Domestic Product.

The paper speaks to a report from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture 2014, which states that cultural goods and services globally are valued in excess of 592 billion and between 2009 – 2012, Ghana exported cultural products (handicrafts) of 12.54 million dollars(Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture 2014,8-12).

Another outstanding revelation l read was that, in Ghana, the creative and cultural sector employs 784,149 (Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture 2014, 32).

This reveals how powerful and potential the cultural and creative sector is and therefore needs the right people and proper leadership to serve in these spaces.

This also provides the answer to the agenda of Culture Arts and Tourism (CAT) as Culture is seen and identified as the driver of Tourism industry in Ghana.

Knowing the very important aspect of growth in our cultural sector, my lenses still capture Dr Richardson Commey Fio, the current deputy executive director, as the main visionary leader to see us move into greater heights in our agenda to promote and improve our culture space.

A man who is bold to speak on our cultural policy and believes that the decision by Ghana’s government to solicit financial support from foreign powers to fashion out its cultural policy is not a good idea. ” When it comes to culture, as a country, we need not be relying on Western support because that is the fundamentally where your right and identity can be targeted.”

He was the only cultural expert l heard speak vehemently with strong disapproval on the trend of male content creators on Tik Tok dressing as women. Dr Richardson Commey Fio is an exceptional leader with boldness.

In my quest to find out how he has influenced the National Commission on Culture with his ideas and leadership, l found out that in 2018, there were some major intervention Which happened at the Commission of which he played an integral major role in implementation.

1- A new scheme of service

2- Mid- Year and end of year review meetings for the regional centres

3- COVID -19 nationwide campaign

4- UNESCO Aschberg project and various UNESCO projects

5- Capacity building workshop building organised across the country. Some of which lam told sponsored from his own pocket.

6- The review of the NCC Act, PNDC law 238.

7- initiated the review of the cultural policy, which was later taken over by the Ministry.

8- proposed for the adoption of the Ministry, the formation of Ghana focal team for the repatriation of restitution of illegally trafficked and stolen cultural objects and artefacts to place of origin.

9- He is currently leading in ensuring better condition of service for directors. Engaging Ministry of Finance and Controller and Accountant General.

If today there is any of the regional centres on social media (visibility), it is because of Mr Richardson Commey Fio capacity building and initiative to ensure NCC take advantage of the media to promote what NCC does across the country and even beyond.

The belief and hope l have in Mr Richardson Commey Fio is not far-fetched. l believe in his capabilities and potential to uplift the image, brand awareness, engage the cultural fraternity, and most importantly, bridge the gap between arts and tourism.

I plead with Mr. President, and Minister for Tourism Culture and Creative Arts to appoint Dr Richardson Commey Fio as the new Executive Director of National Commission On Culture.